“Figuring a shape” is an essay presented in the form of an exhibition. The curatorial team aims to construct an hypothetical cross-generational dialogue between To Ngoc Van and contemporary artists – all of whom are descendants of the Yet Kieu school. Whether working in oil, lacquer, silk, paper, or mixed media, these artists share commonalities with (or inherit from) To Ngoc Van’s approach, clearly evidenced in his own sketches. These shared points are connected across four exhibition rooms, which are “Distillation and Simplification”, “Breathing life into characters”, “Metaphor and Iconography” and “Assemblage & Simultaneity” affirming the intimate relationship between form and idea in fine arts.

Editor: Trao